Making a memento – Photo Project to Photo Book

Unlike a gallery exhibition, the Photo Book is an intimate memento. You bring it back and engage in a dialogue with its maker within the privacy and familiarity of your own living space.

With that thought in mind, one approaches the photo book not merely as a sequence of images, nor just a pictorial narrative, but an object crafted to emote to and engage all senses. And that ‘object crafting’ was ever-so evident in our first photo book making workshop – IPA Photo Project to Photo Book Workshop – held during the IPA Photo Books Show 2013 at the National Museum of Singapore.

The workshop was mentored by contemporary photographers Ian Teh (Malaysia/UK) and Kosuke Okahara (Japan) and assisted by Ore Huiying, with Ho Chii Fei (Chiif Cameras) providing expertise and support at the workshop’s print stations. During the introduction, Ian Teh presented inspirations and motivations behind his work and book Traces, while Kosuke spoke candidly about trials, errors and the process of hand-crafting. Participants then went through group evaluations of their projects to find meaning and medium of expression.

The last 2 days of the workshop was an intensive hands-on experience for all. 8 photo book dummies were hand-made with Epson UltraChrome® K3 Ink prints on Matte Art fine stock provided by Epson Singapore, and fine Japanese Washi inkjet paper provided by Awagami Factory. The participants used 2 Epson Stylus Pro 3885 printers which employs unique, high-density ink sets and three shades of black for truly professional black-and-white photo printing. Awagami Inkjet Paper are specially made and transformed for inkjet printer use, yet still yielding the texture of existing washi.

The workshop participants completed their experience by presenting their ‘polished’ hand-made books to audiences at the Photo Book Dummy Hour during the IPA Photo Books Show.

Robert presents his book during Photo Book Dummy Hour at IPA Photo Books Show.

A big thanks to the mentors Ian and Kosuke, and to the participants Anastasia Darsono, Eudon Yap, Kristin Man, Jay Komuda, Robert Godden, Shyue Woon, Julie McGuire, and Cindy Bajema for a wonderful experience at the workshop. Huge thanks to our sponsors National Museum of Singapore, Epson Singapore, Awagami Factory and Chiif Cameras for their valuable support.